Security breach shuts Long Beach airport

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The Long Beach airport was shut
down for about 90 minutes early on Monday morning after a man
ran away from security screeners, officials said.

The unidentified man was later found and arrested outside
the Los Angeles-area airport, according to police and airport
officials.

Outbound flights, which typically begin at 7 a.m. (1500
GMT), were grounded for about 30 minutes, according to airport
spokeswoman Sharon Diggs-Jackson. About 1,000 passengers were
secured inside the terminal or on board aircraft, she added.

Long Beach Police Department spokesman Juan Gomez said the
suspect was singled out for a more thorough search by airport
security screeners because he was wearing baggy clothing. He
excused himself to use the restroom, but fled the airport after
returning to the screening area, Gomez said.

Police are searching the airport and its surroundings as
part of their investigation, Gomez said.